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Othello Critical Essay

Othello Critical Analytical Essay
Travis Gordon
ELA 30-1
October 3rd, 2012Jealousy, the universal feeling we’ve all experienced at one time or another. Whether it be the newest piece of technology that someone has that you don’t and wish you did, or that kid on the playground that had those new light up shoes that were all the rage. Jealousy is not something that can be avoided, only controlled. It sneaks up on you, like a tree root sneaks up on concrete before it breaks to the surface. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, jealousy is a key component used by many characters as a weapon that is twisted and manipulated to serve their own ends.

Iago, a deceitful and manipulative snake or the ironic pseudonym “Honest Iago” uses jealousy as a way of getting what he wants without realizing nor caring about the backlash of repercussions his actions have on the people around him. ‘O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But O, what damned minutes tells he o'er Who dotes, yet doubts--suspects, yet strongly loves! "(III,iii,)

He refers to jealousy as a “green-eyed monster”, because it is a scary thing to behold when it gets out of hand. Once it is unleashed, it is not easily contained. Once he contaminates Othello’s mind with the thoughts of Desdemona being unfaithful to him, and sneaking around behind his back with his lieutenant Cassio, it spreads like a wildfire inside Othello’s head. He begins to doubt himself. Although he knows in his heart Desdemona to be true to him, he can’t help but think about the false accusations Iago has impregnated his mind with.

Another character Iago manages to control with the raw power of jealousy is Roderigo. Iago manages to convince Roderigo that if he puts “money in thy purse”, Iago will make it so Roderigo can be together with Desdemona. This is a clear example of how easy...

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OTHELLO
The characters’ motive draw out the idea of jealousy, which leads to the tragic outcome of
the play. Othello was first performed in 1604 and written by William Shakespeare. Did you
know that In the Middle East, where the myth survives that Shakespeare was in fact an
Arab, he is still sometimes fondly referred to as Sheikh al-Subair, meaning Sheikh 'Prickly
Pear' in Arabic. That was just a fact and for you’re own information. Anyway The play
Othello demonstrates the power jealousy can hold over people. At one point or another,
every person experiences jealousy, and whether it is sexual or otherwise, jealousy can be a
very dangerous emotion. Because jealousy plays on the trust one develops in relationships,
it easily can result in feeling violated and betrayed.The play Othello, though written
hundreds of years ago, still captivates audiences with it's portrayal of the desperation one
feels when jealousy is present. Although many years have passed since written, people can
still relate to Othello because human nature does not change. We all question those who are
close to us, and whether or not they are loyal. Othello demonstrates the disastrous
consequences that may ensue when a person capitalises on the jealous nature of another
human.
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Othello's jealousy towards Desdemona is perhaps the strongest emotion. The jealousy he
experiences turns him insane...

...﻿Towards the ends of Othello both Emilia and Desdemona are confirmed as tragic heroines. Throughout the play, Emilia is beaten down by Iago, as a result of the gender inequality of the time and her low status as a woman. In the last scene though, she finally breaks through this and finds her voice and stands up to patriarchal domination, which leads her to her death, confirming her to be a tragic heroine. Differently, Desdemona starts off as being independent; standing up against her father by marrying Othello against his will. But throughout the play she becomes innocently complicit and naïve to Iago’s scheming and in addition, her marriage encourages her to behave as a woman of the time should and be submissive to Othello. Therefore, despite her innocence at the end of the play, she succumbs in tragic obedience.
The character Emilia’s perepeteia during Othello is in giving the handkerchief to Iago during the middle of act three. During this scene she shows herself as the typical Venetian woman when she says ‘what will you give me now for that same handkerchief? Highlighting, that her loyalties to her husband come before her loyalties to Desdemona. Furthermore later on in the scene when telling the character Iago of the handkerchief ‘that which so often you bid me to steal’ this is the audience’s first hint of Iago letting someone in on his plan. Which is also the audiences’ first hint that Iago has Emilia...

...quote would have characters who do not reveal the truth at a time when doing so would be important. Othello by William Shakespeare satisfies this quote with characters like Emilia and Iago.
Characters lie to cover up something, but when one doesn't say anything to tell the truth, it still counts as lying. Emilia finds the handkerchief that the protagonist, Othello had given to his wife, Desdemona, but instead of giving it back; she gives it to her husband Iago. Othello has been convinced by Iago that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio. When Desdemona looses the handkerchief she asks Emilia, "Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?" she simply replies, "I know not, madam" (III.iv.23-24). Even though she gives it to Iago, she does not say so. Othello is further convinced that Desdemona is cheating on him and yells at her. Emilia just stands in the room saying nothing. This silence costed the faith in Othello to diminish and therefore is as bad as the things that her husband does.
Although Iago was the true liar in the play, Othello's inability to confront Desdemona of his suspicions contributed to his downfall. As Iago fed more and more nonsense to Othello, the more he had believed that she was unfaithful. After Iago leaves, Othello mutters to himself, "If she be false, heaven mocks itself! I'll not believe't." But when Desdemona asks, "How now, my dear...

...OTHELLOESSAY
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! / It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on” (Shakespeare III. iii. 195-197). Everyone has the capacity for jealousy. It can change how people think as well as how they act. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, jealousy is nurtured within the minds of multiple characters, and this jealousy is what ignites the want to make multiple misconceptions arise in order to create havoc and inflict suffering upon others and in some cases, upon themselves. To start off, Iago illustrates how jealousy can cause one to want to inflict pain upon others. Secondly, Roderigo shows how jealousy can make one become easily persuaded into doing wrong things. Lastly, Othello is a fine example of how jealousy can cloud somebody’s mind and cause them to see things as something else and inflict suffering on themselves and on others.
First off, Iago shows how envy and jealousy can make one want to inflict pain and suffering on others. “That never set a squadron in the field, / Nor the division of a battle knows / More than a spinster – unless the bookish theory, / Wherein he {toged} consuls can propose / As masterly as he” (I. i. 23 – 27). Iago displays bitterness at the fact that Cassio became lieutenant instead of him, indicating his jealousy and envy towards him. This envy and jealousy causes Iago to become very manipulative and makes him hostile...

...
OthelloEssay
Shakespeare's "Othello" exhibits the demise of man via jealousy and rumor. The work showcases perhaps the gravest villain in literary times, Iago, whose evil cunning and masterful manipulation steamrolls the demise of honorable reputations; the destruction of intimate relationships, both brotherly and romantic; and finally, breaks down the sanity and conviction of stable men due to excessive need to protect ego and preserve personal pride.
Iago's control of people's attitudes ultimately led to the downfall of honorable reputations. In the beginning, Iago states that he hates Othello because of his recent promotion of Michael Cassio to the post of lieutenant. In response, Iago plans to ruin Cassio's reputation during one night at Cyprus:
"If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
With that which he hath drunk to-night already,
He'll be as full of quarrel and offence
As my young mistress' dog" (Act 2 Scene 3 49-52).
Iago wanted Cassio to drink more wine because he wanted Cassio to be drunk and argumentative when later that night. Iago told Montano, the mayor of Cyprus, that Cassio was drunk every night casting doubt on Othello's judgment for appointing Cassio, by implying that Cassio may be drunk during battle. This led to Othello to believe that Cassio is irresponsible and dishonorable, and as a result stripped Cassio of his position. Later on, when Othello is...

...Write Up On Othello:
Othello as an Outsider
Shakespeare’s Othello, written in approximately 1603, is a tragic play that centralises around the role of Othello, the Moor of Venice. Throughout the play, a notion that is consistently evident is that of “the outsider”.
In Othello, many characters are in some way outsiders. Each character devises their own unique way to rid themselves of this “outsider” status, whether it be by marriage, gaining strength or through means of manipulation. As persistently as they may try, characters in the play never completely eradicate themselves of the title of the “outsider” label which is placed upon them.
The most prominent outsider in the play is the protagonist, Othello. His experiences and racial aspects are what differentiate him from those around him, and it turn, he is considered to be the outsider.
Coming to Europe from Egypt is one major factor that contributes to Othello being considered and outsider. Because he is not originally from Europe, he is less familiar with the customs of Venetian society. From the commencement of the play, Othello is depicted as being distant from most of the issues that concern him. Roderigo and Iago refer, quite ambiguously, to Othello as “he” or “him” in the majority of the first scene. When it becomes clear that they are talking about Othello, they...

...In the play, ‘Othello,’ by William Shakespeare, one character is considered the most evil character in all of English literature. This character is Iago, the antagonist of the play. He is considered so evil because of his ability to manipulate and persuade people into believing things, and making others’ good qualities the main reason for their downfall. During the course of the play, he manipulates others to do whatever he wants, and makes Othello believe that his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with Cassio, the man who recently was given the title of second in command, a job in which Iago felt he was better qualified for. This is one of the main reasons that Iago wants to make Othello suffer, though he also mentions the fact that he was suspicious that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia.
Iago is a master of Rhetoric, the art of persuasion. He uses three aspects of rhetoric in his persuasion: Pathos, which appeals to emotion, specifically anger, fear and pity; Ethos, which appeals to the speaker’s credibility in the play, and finally Logos, which appeals to logic. He is so successful with his manipulation because not only is he extremely clever and witty, but also very trusted among every character in the play, especially Othello. Othello believes that Iago is his right hand man, and tells him nothing but the truth. Iago takes advantage of this by pretending to feel sorry for him...

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OthelloEssay
Jealousy is defined as feeling and/or showing envy of someone for their achievements and advantages. Jealousy is known to be one of the world’s worst emotions, except jealousy is not an emotion. Jealousy is a deadly disease and should not be considered an emotion proving that while in a jealous state there is a complete loss of control. A person in the jealous state is completely incapable of controlling their emotions, behaviour and their intellectual process making them vulnerable in all situations. The play Othello written by William Shakespeare proves to be one of the most profound pieces of literature includes many characters that are diagnosed with the deadly disease that is Jealousy. “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; /It is the green eyed monster which doth mock/ [t]he meat it feeds on” (Othello, 3.3.165-167).
A very vital and traumatizing symptom that comes with having the Jealous disease is the psychological loss of control. The diagnosed character is incapable of controlling their thoughts, often leading them to making unreasonable decisions. In the play Othello, we see many characters that are ill with the Jealous disease and are battling to keep their thoughts intact. Iago is one of the first characters to be introduced into the play who possess the illness. When Iago proves to have the symptom of psychological control loss, we can see it when...